Sports

Montreal Tigers squad for GT20 Canada has Whatmore excited

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

Brampton: Renowned coach Dav Whatmore has expressed his excitement to have a bunch of “incredibly talented players” in the Montreal Tigers squad as they gear up for the Global T20 Canada. The Tigers are among six teams participating the event which will be held from July 20 in Ontario. The squad comprises some of the world’s finest T20 players including Shakib Al Hassan, Andre Russell, Chris Lynn and Carlos Brathwaite.

With less than 20 days to go, the Global T20 Canada will be held at the CAA Centre in Brampton, and is all set to captivate fans across the globe. Amongst the six participating teams in the third edition of the marquee tournament are the Tigers under the guidance of the coaching maestro, Dav Whatmore.

The previous two editions of the competition have seen the Montreal Tigers secure the fifth position on the points table consecutively, however, for this year’s edition they are fielding a rejuvenated squad and are eager to catapult into title contenders.

Whatmore opened up on the exciting squad mix and the team philosophy. “We’ve had a great draft, and I must say we’ve acquired some incredibly talented players to form our squad, that has all of us excited.”

He added: “In a league full of amazing talent, we’ve had the privilege of selecting amazing players who will blow us away with their potential and skills. These individuals possess a unique combination of natural ability, determination and a strong desire for success. I can’t wait to see them in action, representing the Montreal Tigers.”

Whatmore also opened about the team philosophy that drove their decision making ahead of the player draft and the culture he envisions for the team. “Building a successful team involves more than just numbers and statistics, it is about recognising those special qualities that make certain individuals stand out and change the game.

“As a coach it is my responsibility to look beyond the obvious. We believe in nurturing talent, providing opportunities and creating an environment where every player can thrive, we firmly believe every player regardless of their background or experience deserves a fair chance to showcase their abilities and leave their mark on the cricketing world,” he said.

Whatmore reiterated his confidence in his team. “Cricket fans, keep your eyes open, the Montreal Tigers are all set to roar louder than ever in Season 3 of GT20.”

The Montreal Tigers will begin their pursuit of the trophy on the second day of the tournament, where they will take on the new entrants, Surrey Jaguars.

Tickets are available on www.gt20.ca

Montreal Tigers squad: Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Lynn, Sherfane Rutherford, Carlos Brathwaite, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Zahir Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Akif Raja, Aayan Khan, Dipendra Airee, Kaleem Sana, Srimantha Wijeratne, Matthew Spoors, Bupendra Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Anoop Chima

Staff Reporter

Sports

UAE eyes Olympic future with World Boxing membership

Published

19 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Michael Gomes

The UAE Boxing Federation is taking a major step onto the global stage, officially applying for World Boxing membership after receiving approval from the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.

The decision comes hot on the heels of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board proposal on Monday to include boxing in the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games program. The final decision will be made during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, from March 19-21, 2025.

This development follows World Boxing’s provisional recognition by the IOC in February, officially positioning the organisation as the new global governing body for the sport. It replaces the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has been banned by the IOC since 2019 due to governance and financial issues.

UAE Boxing Federation Secretary-General Hassan Al Hammadi confirmed that the country was among the first Arab and Asian nations to back the newly established World Boxing, following necessary approvals from the country’s sports authorities.

“We have obtained official approvals, and our membership application will be submitted before the end of the week as we prepare to join World Boxing,” Al Hammadi stated.

“Our goal is to ensure UAE athletes can compete at the highest level, including the Olympic Games, while meeting the required rankings and standards. Every athlete dreams of representing their country with pride, and we are committed to making that a reality,” he added.

Founded on April 13, 2023, World Boxing currently boasts 78 member federations and was created to restore credibility and integrity to the sport. With the IBA’s expulsion from the IOC, boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics is being overseen directly by the IOC, ensuring fair competition and governance.

(Source: Wam)

News

DP World ILT20 to sponsor Ramadan cricket tournament in Dubai

Published

4 days ago

March 15, 2025

Staff Reporter

Staying true to their commitment to develop and support UAE cricket, particularly at the grassroots, DP World ILT20 will sponsor the Ramadan cricket tournament to be held at the ICC Academy Oval 1 and 2 in Dubai from 13 March to 3 April 2025.

The 22-day tournament will feature 10 domestic teams including the Dubai Cricket Council Starlets, Karwan Cricket Club, Emirates Fly Better, Seven District, Prospero Properties, Dubai Dare Devils, Consolidate Shipping Service, Z Games, Lexington Shot Guns, and GHK Properties, with over 200 players vying for the top prize. Each team will play nine single round-robin league games followed by semi-finals and the final. The tournament will be live streamed on both YouTube and Facebook.

Speaking about lending their support for the event David White, CEO of DP World ILT20 said, “It is DP World ILT20’s endeavour to support and nurture local talent in UAE. With 220 players turning up for the Ramadan cricket tournament, it’s a great opportunity to see and encourage emerging talent. We stay true to our commitment of developing cricket at the grassroots and I wish all the players the very best.”

The DP World ILT20 season 3 recently concluded with Dubai Capitals emerging as the new champions. While the league has been a global success, the DP World ILT20 amongst its many initiatives, continues to support domestic cricket at the grassroots level to help in the growth and development of the emerging local talent.

Sports

Dubai to host 3,000 world-class athletes from 40 nations for biggest aquatics championship

Published

6 days ago

March 13, 2025

Michael Gomes

Dubai is gearing up to host its biggest Dubai International Aquatics Championships (DIAC) yet, with 3,000 athletes from 40 countries set to compete. The event will bring together top swimmers, divers, and water sports athletes for a series of high-level competitions.

Organisers are expecting strong performances and a dynamic atmosphere, further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a key destination for international sporting events.

Held at the iconic Hamdan Sports Complex from March 21 to April 20, 2025, this month-long aquatic extravaganza will feature five adrenaline-pumping water sports, drawing some of the fiercest competitors on the planet.

From high-flying dives to electrifying swimming showdowns, fans are in for a thrill-fest like no other. Here’s what’s making waves on the schedule:

Diving (March 21-23) – Expect gravity-defying stunts as the world’s best divers fight for gold!
Water Polo (April 5) – A brutal battle in the pool where only the toughest teams will survive.
Open Water Swimming (April 5-6) – A true test of endurance in the ultimate long-distance aquatic war.
Synchronised Swimming (April 12-13) – Grace meets grit as teams deliver flawless, jaw-dropping routines.
Swimming (April 18-20) – The grand finale! Speed demons will leave it all in the water in a blistering race to the finish.

Organised in collaboration with the UAE Swimming Federation and top local academies, this championship is set to be an unmissable spectacle for fans of all things fast, fierce, and aquatic.

(Source: Wam)